Condom Use in United State Compare to Other African Country - Essay Example

?Condom Use in United Compare to Other African Country Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact. Condom Use in United State Compare to Other African Country The increase in sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/ AIDS and unwanted pregnancy in today’s world has prompted many countries to urge their citizen to use condoms. Diseases contracted through unsafe sex and teenage pregnancy is a global problem and it affected people all over the world. Many social workers are now educating people on the importance of using condoms. Even though America is a developed country, it has unacceptably high rates of teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS infected people. The reason attributed to this circumstance is worth examining. But, compared to African countries the number is significantly low. One of the main obstacles in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases in African countries is that people are ignorant about the use of condom. On the other hand, the most frequent reasons people in the developed countries give for not using a condom is not because of the lack of education on the use of condom but the myth surrounding the use of condom. Many people in the developed countries such as U.S choose not to use condom as they feel that the use of condom make them lack sensation and sue to the psychological factors that condom should only be used in extra marital affairs and with prostitute. In the United States and African countries, people need to be educated on the use of condom to make it more acceptable and more widely used to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. It is estimated that the number of people living with HIV in United States is higher than ever before. The centre for disease control and prevention has estimated that more than 1 million people were living with HIV infection in the American by the end of 2006. According to The foundation for AIDS research, more than 1.7 million people have been infected with HIV since the start of the AIDS epidemic and more than 600,000 people have died of AIDS. It is also estimated that majority of the HIV are transmitted through unprotected sex. This leads us to serious questions as to why people do not feel the need to use condoms. AIDS has affected the lives of so many people in the United States, but people are reluctant to use condoms. When talking about AIDS, one topic which cannot be overlooked is the stigma surrounding it. Many people living with AIDS are discriminated and are often cast out of the society. But, the real problem is the increase in the number of people affected by it. Many reasons can be attributed for the reasons why people are not comfortable using condoms the lack or unavailability of condoms, lack of confidence on the reliability of condoms and the ignorance on the importance of condoms. It is also noteworthy to know that an individual’s knowledge, lifestyle, attitudes, habits awareness are critical factors. It is a positive note to know that people in America are now more aware of the use of condom than ever before. This is mainly because of the huge campaigns on the necessity of the use of condoms to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. A research was done on sexual behaviors and condom use in contemporary America by The National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior and “according to the study's findings, one of four acts of vaginal intercourse are condom protected in the U.S.” (National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB): Center for Sexual Health Promotion, 2010). This is one big step in eradicating teenage pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted diseases. The research findings also concluded that “adults using a condom for intercourse were just as likely to rate the sexual extent positively in terms of arousal, pleasure and orgasm than when having intercourse without one” (National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB): Center for Sexual Health Promotion, 2010, para. 14). This is also a very positive thing as many people are not comfortable using condoms. This study also includes adolescent men and women and it has been found out that, “many contemporary adolescents are being responsible by abstaining or by using condoms when having sex” (National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB): Center for Sexual Health Promotion, 2010, para. 13). Although this is a very significant result, it cannot be denied that people still need to be educated about the use of condom and the importance of having protected sex. It can also be said that the teenage group are more aware about their sex life more than ever. If this healthy trend continues, then it is possible to bring down the number of people infected by HIV tremendously. Although we have seen a positive increase in the use of condom by the American people, the same cannot be said with the African countries. It is estimated that in “Sub-Saharan Africa alone, more than 22.5 million people are living with HIV and AIDS” (Pour in to Your Community, 2011). In 2009, it was estimated that more than 1.3 million people died from AIDS and an alarming number of 1.8 million people became infected with HIV. This is a staggering figure as compared to United States. There are many factors behind the increase in AID in the African country and one of the main reasons is the fact that people do not have the awareness of using condoms. Many of their leaders are also against using condoms and their religious leaders are no exceptions. The former Archbishop of Nairobi, Raphael Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki, once preached the people that they should abstain from using condoms as they contribute to the spread of diseases. Even the Muslim clerics from 25 African countries are still divided on the use of condoms. This clearly shows that people are not encouraged to use condoms and this is a very serious matter as it means that people living with HIV/AIDS will increase. One of the major problems is also that the people do not have easy access to condoms. African countries clearly illustrate the need to understand the social, economic and mentality of the people when it comes to condom. It also substantiates the need to study the relationship between poverty, global response and effectiveness of using condoms, both at the bureaucrats’ level and the grass root level. Many people are questioning the effectiveness of using condoms in Africa to prevent AIDS. But, on the contrary to their beliefs, the main medium for spreading HIV throughout Africa is heterosexual intercourse. Many people are also contaminated through medical equipments. This is also the reason why majority of the people are not convinced to use condoms. There are also many wrong teachings about the use of condom and its effectiveness. One of the major thing that African people cannot put past is the fact that condom is only 90 percent effective. This message is spread widely among the people and this result in neglecting the use of condoms for protection. In one of the article written by Brain Saint- Paul, he claimed that, Condoms aren't working to stem AIDS in Africa.” He further claimed that, “abstinence is the obvious solution.” Yes, abstinence is good and it can go a long way in protecting the people from sexually transmitted diseases. But, however, it should be keep in mind that pointing out negative things about condom is only going to worsen the case in Africa. By comparing the use of condom and the attitude towards condom by the people in United States and the African country, we can clearly state that the American people are ahead. But, on the contrary it should also be noted that the United States is much more advance in almost everything as compared to African countries. Statistics show that people in the United States are using more condoms as compared to the African people. America, being a developed nation has taken more efforts to educate its people about the consequences of having unprotected sex. We can in a way also state that the American people are more open to using condoms are they more aware of the consequences. Awareness is spread among the American people on the usage of condoms and this worked very well for them as the numbers of people using condoms are increasing drastically. On the other hand, the African people are closed minded about using condoms as majority of the people are not fully aware of the consequences of having unprotected sex. This could lead to a devastating result as it implies that more people will be affected by HIV. The importance of the use of condoms cannot be over emphasized. It has become a global issue now and every countries of the world are now warming up to the use of condoms. It is the responsibility of everyone to have a control over their sexual life by using condoms. Awareness should be spread in both the United States and the African countries about the use of condoms so that less people will have a chance to be contaminated. Reference List National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB): Center for Sexual Health Promotion, (2010). Indiana University. Retrieved Dec. 06, 2011, from http://nationalsexstudy.indiana.edu/ Pour in to Your Community, (2011). Beyond the Call. Retrieved Dec. 06, 2011, from http://www.btcblog.com/ Statistics: United States, (2011). amfAR: Aids Research. Retrieved Dec. 06, 2011, from http://www.amfar.org/abouthiv/article.aspx?id=3590 Smith, D. (2010). Condom Use Still far from the Norm in South Africa. The Guardian. Retrieved Dec. 06, 2011, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/09/south-africa-condoms-hiv-aids Saint-Paul, B. (2005). Will Condoms Really Stop AIDS? Catholic Education Resource Center. Retrieved Dec. 06, 2011, from http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/facts/fm0045.html Read More